How does alcohol effect women differently than men?

Research tells us that male and female bodies do not process alcohol in the same way. The main difference is that the female body absorbs more alcohol than the male body due to differences in body structure and internal chemistry. Females can have a higher amount of alcohol in their systems even if they are drinking the same amount of alcohol as a male. This means that females can feel the effects of alcohol more after choosing to drink. 

Now that you know that there are differences in how male and female bodies process alcohol, it is important to talk about what this means! While both men and women who drink alcohol are at greater risk for diabetes and high blood pressure, the female body has a couple of additional risks.  Drinking alcohol may increase a female’s risk of breast cancer, can change her menstrual cycle, and can possibly create infertility issues. Drinking alcohol while pregnant increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). We know that  drinking even small amounts of alcohol during pregnancy can result in developmental, behavioral, and physical challenges for that child. 

We want to make sure you know that the information shared in this article is based on natal (at birth) sex determination. Even though physiological sex characteristics can shift for transgender individuals, the impact of processing alcohol in the body and possible health risks remain unknown at this time.